LETTERS: Swift has deep roots in Maine
To the editor:
I urge you to vote for Pam Swift in House District 62, China, Windsor, Somerville and Hibberts Gore.
Pam trusts you. She knows you and your doctor will make the best decisions for you and your health. She knows that you can prepare for your children’s futures by helping them understand what they find in their school libraries, public libraries and on the Internet.
As a retired physician, Pam knows how important it is for you to have access to healthcare and affordable medicine. As a farmer she knows how important locally produced healthy food is to your family and how much small farms matter to your community.
Pam has deep roots in Maine and will fight for what Maine a great place to live.
Please vote for Pam Swift, candidate for House District #62.
Kathy Kellison
Windsor
Windsor select board deals with cannabis petition, local tax abatements
by The Town Line staff
The Windsor Select Board dealt with a number of issues at their September 24, meeting.
Town Clerk Kelly McGlothlin updated the select board on the petition for cannabis that they wanted to include on the November 5 ballot. McGlothlin stated she found things within the petition that were inconsistent, with what could be to correct and sufficient, that would allow the petition to move forward to the November ballot. The town clerk also noted the petition was submitted too late for the upcoming election. She explained her additional findings to the select board, and it would be up to them if they wanted to place an article on the June 2025 ballot. The select board decided more discussion will be needed when the entire select board is present. Board chairman William Appel Jr. will have a discussion with the petitioner and extend another invitation to a select board meeting.
After several residents complained their bank appraisal and the appraisal from KRT were very far apart, the board acted on 2024-25 tax year abatements. They suspended as the select board and convened as the board of assessors.
By unanimous votes, the board, at the the recommendation of Nichole Stenberg, Windsor’s Assessor’s Agent, approved tax abatements for Bryan Bolstridge in the amount of $6.44; Rose and Douglas Fraser ($230); Angela and Steve Brochu ($49.68); Mark and Dorothy Lapointe ($2,194.20); Bryan Stefanie Lewis and Jonathan McCaslin ($512.44); Marvin and Kim Clark ($1,438.88); David Shaw ($3,044.28); Malarie and Darin Clark ($1,438.88); and Karen S. Finley ($3,044.28).
The select board encouraged residents who have questions to bring their information to Stenberg. Town Manager Theresa Haskell also stated that even if someone has questions about their tax assessment, they should still pay at least their first half of the tax bill so there are no interest fees that accrue.
In other business:
– Following a submitted price for three 120V outlets at the town hall, of $1,754 from J&M Electric, the board unanimously approved putting the job out to bid or getting other estimates.
– Arthur Strout, speaking on behalf of the Windsor Volunteer Fire Department, appeared before the board to answer any question they may have in regard to the installation of a heat pump at the station. He stated the central air conditioning is broken and beyond repair. He said they used a window air conditioner this past summer, and that a heat pump could be used, not only as air conditioning, but also for supplemental heat since the building uses radiant heat.
Two quotes have been submitted: $4,074. 28 from M. A. Haskell, and $4,950 from C. B. Haskell. Following an offer from Steve Plourde, the select board agreed to move money from the WVFD building reserve fund account not to exceed $2,350 for Plourde to install a heat pump head and other materials (condenser and labor to be donated) in the meeting room at the fire station.
– The board approved three junkyard applications to Millard Nickerson c/o Lisa Taylor, Allen Rogers and Stanley Pelletier.
– The board also approved updating the retirement plan documents as recommeneded by Stephanie Hunter, from Corbridge (Valic), at a cost of $750.
– The board accepted the $16,900 bid from McGee Construction for the 2016 Terrastar. They also accepted a bid from McGee for 2024-25 plowing at $175 per hour for 250 hours, for a total of $43,750. The town had budgeted $43,500. Haskell noted there are places in the budget to make up the difference.
The next select board meeting was scheduled for October 8.
WINDSOR: Lengthy discussion on police presence in town
by The Town Line staff
One of the major topics at the August 13 meeting of the Windsor Select Board was the presence, or lack thereof, of state police in town.
Sheriff Ken Mason of the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that over the years state police have been seen less patrolling within the town of Windsor and surrounding towns. The sheriff’s departmenthas been back filling with more units to cover the area. Town Manager Theresa Haskell said she knows the town of China and other towns use Kennebec County Sheriff’s deputies for additional patrols. Mason noted that some towns, large and small, do budget it and they offer that service. William Appel Jr. asked Mason about his opinion regarding a constable. That subject was briefly discussed.
In other business, Dr. Timothy Pieh presented a handout and reviewed information about the MD3 pilot program for Kennebec County. There was a lengthy presentation about the program and what it has offered surrounding communities in the past eight months. Dr.Pieh reviewed the number of call, the types of calls they respond to and how it has impacted the communities, rescue teams and the hospitals.
– There was discussion about the Landworks Lane signs on Griffin Road. Public Works Supervisor Keith Hall showed the sign to the select board. Darcy and Alan Aronson approved the sign and placement, as did the select board.
– Haskell noted that Allison Chase, who currently works at the transfer station will be stepping up as intrim supervisor.
– Haskell handed out the monthly transfer station report. July was up from last year at this time by $989.90, making the overall total $9,821.80.
– The town received a check from Grimmel Industries in the amount of $1,090 for metal reimbursement.
– Theresa Haskell was appointed primary for KVCOG Assembly and Chester D. Barnes to be alternate for KVCOG Assembly.
– Chester D.Barnes Jr. and Thomas McNaughten were revoked as Conservation Commission Committee members when it was discovered the members of the select board could not be members of the commission, per ordinance. However, they can still represent the select board as members of the committee.
– The select board is in favor of the bike club to set up a collection area somewhere in the parking lot to collect coats, hats, and mittens.
– There will be a meeting held on Monday, September 16, to discuss the proposed Mineral Extraction Ordinance. The performance bond for Coutt’s WindsorSolar LLC was discussed briefly. Windsor resident Tom Reed asked if there was a decommision plan in place for the solar farm. The answer was yes.
– Select board member Andrew Ballantyne reported he received an email stating that the town of Windsor is being considered as part of a series title “Best Manager Cities in Maine, under 10,000 population. He stated it is quite an accomplishment and will be displayed in magazines throughout Maine.
– Ballantyne also mentioned the outside classroom building at the Windsor elementary School still needs to be finished. He is always happy to help and would love to see other parents or community members pitch in and help. The information he has been given states the building needs roofing donw, and the supplies are on site.
– William Appel Jr. asked about some messages pertaining to marijuana that had been posted on the Windsor Community page on Facebook. In short, Moira Teekema responded by saying residents who have questions should attend a select board meeting with questions and concerns.
– The new public works truck has been purchased for $72,716. The town should gain possession of the vehicle in November.
Window Dressers create affordable window inserts
Volunteers hard at work assembling insulated window inserts. (photo by Roberta Barnes)
by Roberta Barnes
Our nights becoming chilly is a reminder to begin preparing for winter.
One of the first places to focus on is your windows.
While replacement energy efficient windows might not fit into your budget, insulating window inserts are affordable and assembling them with others can be enjoyable.
Last November I was one of the people who, after having windows measured by volunteers from WindowDressers, joined others like me, and volunteers, from China, Vassalboro, Windsor and Albion at the Vassalboro Mill to assemble insulating window inserts.
Together we securely assembled wooden frames, covered each side of the frame with strong clear plastic, and added foam edges.
The strong plastic securely sealed on all sides of the frame forms the pocket of insulating air that can help to keep your home warm.
While completing each insulating window insert requires the correct equipment, materials, instruction, and time, the atmosphere was so enjoyable that people volunteered for extra shifts.
This year the location in Vassalboro has changed and there is also a location in Waterville which can be seen on the WindowDressers website.
Today you can either request window inserts by filling out the form online on the website https://windowdressers.org/ or sign up to volunteer.
In Maine you can also call (207) 596-3073. The deadline for signing up for inserts is September 15, 2024.
The cost for these insulting window inserts is kept affordable by the donations and volunteers helping to assemble the inserts.
You can estimate the cost of the inserts on the windowdressers.org website. There is also a low or no-pay Special Rate Program where you pay what you can afford.
You can discuss paying for your inserts with the person or people from WindowDressers when they come out to measure the windows.
There may be a limit of 10 inserts for this Special Rate Program.
The deadline for signing up to receive the window inserts for this winter 2024/2025 is September 15, 2024.
It is best if you go online today at https://windowdressers.org/, or call (207) 596-3073. Doing this can help you keep the chilly air outside your windows and enjoy being one of the people assembling the inserts in a friendly upbeat atmosphere.
(photo by Roberta Barnes)
Windsor benefit concert
Photo by Roberta Barnes
by Roberta Barnes
When was the last time you enjoyed a live concert put on by experienced, highly-skilled musicians and singers for a worthy cause?
Friday evening, August 16, a concert upstairs in the Windsor Town Hall was a musical tribute paid to the life and music of Nat King Cole. The enjoyable music the Downeast Brass Quintet played is part of this country’s musical history.
This concert, with superb music and narrations on the life of Nat King Cole, born in 1919, was free. The donations jar on the table near the entrance was for the Maine Lung Association. The musicians donated their time and talents. This was an excellent way to celebrate the American Lung Association’s 120th anniversary.
Nat King Cole (Nathaniel Adams Cole) the American singer, jazz pianist, and actor who made television history in 1956, unfortunately, was a smoker. In 1965 at the height of his stardom, when he was only 45 years old, lung cancer ended his life.
The concert began at 7 p.m., but musicians were present doing sound checks around 6 p.m. Andy Foster, on trumpet and sang, Peter Suart, on trumpet, Dwight Tibbetts, on trumpet and piano, Rick Gadway, on trumpet, Loren Fields, on French Horn and sang. Michael Peterson, on trombone, Erica Scarano, on tuba, Andrea Buckland, on banjo and guitar, Richard LaChance, on percussion, and Dakota Ryder, who sang, made up the group of skilled and experienced musicians.
The concert began with background piano music while Marianne Tibbets gave the first of several short narrations on the life and career of Cole. She also managed the slides appearing on a large screen that related to the narrations she gave.
One of the first songs in the concert, Straighten up and Fly Right, written by Nat King Cole and Irving Mills, became part of the soundtrack in a 1943 movie and was the first of vocal hits for the King Cole Trio.
Each narration was followed by songs selected from Cole’s hits. Most of those attending could feel their body naturally moving, if only a hand or foot, with rhythm of the music that filled the town hall. Each song was followed with smiles, clapping by those attending, and at the end of the two-hour concert a standing ovation.
At some time you no doubt have heard the phrase “Route 66”. One of the songs played was, Get Your Kicks on Rte. 66, which became the iconic American road song first recorded in 1946.
When Tibbetts was explaining that in the 1950s Cole emerged as a popular solo performer she introduced Ron Marlowe, who lives in Maine. He shared that in 1950 he happened to be in the same building where Cole was practicing. Cole came to the floor where he was and gave him and another boy musical tips. On the table near the door was a photograph of Ron and another boy standing on either side of Cole.
One of the songs in the concert was Cole’s version of Mona Lisa, released in 1950. In the middle of this selection Ryder and another woman did a dance routine to the musical beat. This produced extra smiles and clapping from those attending.
The concert ended with a selection of Cole’s music different than his jazz. The song, Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer, was Cole’s final top ten hit.
Following the standing ovation at the end of the concert everyone enjoyed refreshments provided by Windsor’s Ladies Aid. They were a varied selection of snack foods and beverages designed to fit different people’s diet restrictions.
The amazing music of the evening gave such positive energy that no one was in a hurry to leave.
EVENTS: Windsor Fair set for Aug. 24 – Sept. 2
Maine’s second largest agricultural fair will be offering harness racing, Rockwell Amusements Midway, exhibition hall, historical museum, livestock, demo derbies, truck/tractor/livestock pull events, live music, agricultural education and more
General Admission: Children 11 and Under Free, Ages 12 and up: $12, Wednesday, August 28, half Price $6 and half price Ride Bracelet Day
Hours daily are 9 a.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday, August 24 – Sunday, September 1, 9 a.m.,- 6 p.m., Monday, September 2 (Labor Day).
Season Passes $70 at gates 1 & 4.
Senior Days (60+) $5 on Monday, August 26, andThursday, August 29. Veteran’s Day Thursday, August 29 with valid Military ID.
No pets allowed, no glass, alcohol or weapons.
Parking is always FREE.
Ride bracelets are available Sunday – Friday andLabor Day $30 (half price Wednesday). Rides start at 3 p.m. weekdays, noon on weekends and Labor Day, ride until 10 p.m.; Labor Day, noon – 6 p.m..
Harness racing post times weekends, 1 p.m., weekdays at noon. No harness racing on Wednesday.
See the full program at www.windsorfair.com for schedule of events, entertainment lineup, contact information and premium book for all entry information.
Windsor select board elects William Appel Jr., chairman; introduce Nichole Stenberg as new town assessor
by The Town Line staff
At the beginning of the June 18 Windsor Select Board meeting, Town Manager Theresa Haskell said the first order of business was to elect a board chairman.
The first count was Thomas McNaughton, two votes, William Appel Jr., two votes and Chester D. Barnes, one vote. A second vote gave Appel three votes and became the board’s new chairman.
Town Assessor Vern Ziegler introduced Nichole Stenberg from Dirigo Assessing who will be the town’s new assessor’s agent. Stenberg worked for Maine Revenue Service in the past and has over 20 years of experience in property tax.
Road Supervisor Keith Hall reported there was money left in the roadside mowing account and will be having Chris Pierce and Nathan Northrup do sections in town. They use different equipment and have different pricing options. Hall also reported the Amish signs have been put in place.
Talks with Lucas Striping indicated the price will be the same as last year: $.07 for white lines, and $.14 for double yellow lines per foot.
Scott Peaslee will be doing the job on the transfer station wall at a cost of $12,000.
Julia Hartwell appeared before the board to ask that a container be allowed at the town office for Boy Scout Pack #609 to collect bottles as a fundraiser. The board approved with the stipulation that it be placed in a location that would not interfere with plowing during the winter.
David Landmann expressed an interest in being a regular member of the planning board for a three-year term.
The board also approved several appointments. Kim Bolduc-Bartlett at back up animal control officer to 2025; Richard H. Gray Jr. and Thomas Reed, to 2027, Cemetery Committee members, Robert Holt and Laurie Thomas to 2027, board of appeals members; Bonnie Squiers and Heather Wilson to 2027, Windsor Educational Foundation and Reed Fund member; Chester D. Barnes Sr. and Adrian Prindle to 2027, Conservation Commission Committee member; Katherine Johnson to 2025, tax collecter; and David Landmann to 2027, planning board member.
Ryan Carver was appointed animal control officer for one year, and Arthur Strout was appointed as building inspector for one year.
Dwight Tibbetts is interested in holdinjg a benefit concert for the American Lung Association in the town hall. There was much discussion on the building use policy and concerns about the limit of 75 people. This was tabled to the next meeting.
Chairman Appel received an anonymous letter from a group called Concerned Citizens of Windsor regarding some concerns they have within the town. Thomas McNaughton said he welcomes comments, while Chester D. Barnes Jr. said he felt threatened. Appel invited anyone with concerns to attend a select board meeting and encourages the involvement to address these conerns with the board members.
Appel said he received a letter from McKee Morgan Law Firm regarding an incorrect designation of a road name, “Landworks Lane”, and would like to have this on the agenda for the next meeting to include all parties involved, including the codes enforcement officer, Arthur Strout, and assistant codes enforcement officer Greg Feltis.
Appel also said the planning board has been getting new site plan review applications and there has been discussion of possibly some solar farm applications, and there would be some training involved.
Finally, Barnes asked when a meeting will be set up with C. B. Haskell Fuel Co., Inc., regarding the town hall heat pumps. According to Haskell, they have been contacted and is waiting for them to set up a date.
* * * * * *
At a special board of selectmen meeting on June 27, Town Manager Theresa Haskell indicated that it looks like the transfer station budget will come up short and that money will need to be moved to cover.
The select board also accepted the resignation of transfer station committee member Barbara Seaver-West.
Most of the rest of the meeting was spent when transfer station committee chairman John Deeds received a letter from the Concerned Citizens of Windsor Group. He stated he has dealt with threatening letters from the state before and asks that this group come and join the transfer station committee to help them as a group. No time was set for the meeting.
Deeds also asked the select board how they can slow down traffic on Rte. 105 heading towards Somerville. Once they enter Hussey’s intersection, “they are going 80 to 90 mph past his house,” and he is the next house near the Windsor Volunteer Fire Department. The select board said they have no authority to slow down people, but anyone can contact the State Police or Sheriff’s Department. Deeds said he has done that and sometimes they even sit at the WVFD, but nothing happens. Haskell said Patsy Crockett, Commissioner for Kennebec County, will attend the July 30 meeting and that issue can be addressed with her at that time.
Finally, there was discussion about having a policy on how public comment at meetings is overseen, and how to move the meetings along. This was tabled to a future select board meeting.
* * * * * *
At their regular meeting on July 2, the Windsor Select Board reviewed a Department of Transportatin proposal for signs to benefit traffic flow along Rte. 17 – Augusta-Rockland Rd. Town Manager Theresa Haskell gave a handout with a map showing the proposed placement of the signs. DOT will purchase the signs if public works places them in the designated area.
As a following up to Dwight Tibbetts’ request to hold a concern to benefit the American Lung Association at the town hall, a copy of the building use policy was distributed to the board. The policy will be reviewed by the board and discussed at a future meeting.
The town attorney recommended the building at 762 Ridge Road be designated a dangerous building. The owner is not currently living on the property. Codes Enforcement Officer Arthur Strout will submit a letter to the select board to state reasons.
Several residents appeared before the board to express their opinions on the Landworks Lane controversy.
Chris Oberg, Johannah Oberg, and Paul Bernier gave their reasons to keep the name. Bernier indicated he has maintained the road for over 20 years and is running his business off the road. All three state they only followed directions when they were asked by the town to name the road.
However, Alan Aronson, a resident of Griffin Road, stated he owns part of what is now Landworks Lane and that he and his wife, Darcy, had no say in naming the road, saying they were not OK with that.
Following lengthy discussion, the board approved placing signage on Griffin Road near the Landworks Lane Road entrance, from both directions, to direct traffic to Landworks Lane. The road sign Landworks Lane will be moved back to the property line of Paul Bernier, and Johannah and Chris Oberg. There will be no name placed for the right of way beginning at Gtiffin Road at this time as there are no homes on the property to warrant naming the section of road.
Nancy Fish spoke again about concerns of the pit on Hunts Meadow Road that borders her land. Nancy was looking for some clarification of the Site Plan Ordinance for pits. Barnes again suggested she bring her concerns to the planning board. CEO Strout was present and said he can check to see if the pit is less than five acres. If it is more than five acres, the state of Maine would need to be involved with her concerns.
In other business the board approved a McNaughton motion to change the pricing on building permits for residential to $75 plus $.05 per square foot and $150 for commercial plus $.05 per square foot, effective immediately.
Haskell made three more appointments, Dan West as a regular planning board member to 2027, Thomas Leonard as an alternate planning board member to 2026, and Richard H. Gray Jr., as a transfer station committee member to 2026.
The board accepted the resignation of Joshua Briggs from the transfer station.